Carteret Announces New Fire Safety Program

CARTERET–Mayor Dan Reiman and Councilman Randy Krum have announced that the Carteret Fire Department “Career Division” and the F.M.B.A. Local # 67 has introduced “Operation Fire Safe,” a new community oriented program that will allow residents to improve the level of fire safety and prevention in their homes.

Beginning in October, resident homeowners will be invited to participate in the program by registering for an in-house fire safety inspection at the Fire Department Open House. Qualifying residents will receive free smoke detectors, Carbon Monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and fire safety ladders as needed. Fire Department personnel will install the items, inspect existing fire safety accessories, and guide residents through EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home).

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“Our on-duty firefighters and off-duty FMBA Local # 67 union members will visit registered homes for a fire safety inspection at no cost to the homeowner or town,” Reiman said. “The FMBA Local 67 deserves particular recognition for the time and effort donated to make this valuable program possible.”

To fund the program, the borough will be utilizing a one-time $60,000 grant from the Carteret Business Partnership, Inc., a 501(c)3 charitable organization oversees the borough’s Special Improvement District (SID) and operates similarly to a chamber of commerce.

“In New Jersey the only structures that do not receive annual fire inspections are owner occupied one and two family homes. The “Operation Fire Safe” program will address this and greatly improve the probability our residents will survive a fire in their home. Once again, our excellent working relationship with Mayor Reiman has afforded the residents of Carteret an innovative public safety initiative”. F.M.B.A. Local # 67 President and program coordinator Mark Hruska said.

According to national statistics, there was an average of 380,000 home structure fires per year between 2003 and 2007, resulting in $6.4 billion in damage, 12,160 civilian fire injuries, and 2,840 civilian fire deaths, or an average of 8 per day. Of those fatalities, the majority occurred in one and two family homes. (For more information, visit www.nfpa.org).

Reiman has announced that registration for the program will begin towards the end of October, and that scheduling will be flexible, accommodating working residents as well as their families.

“A major component to our enhancement and expansion of our public services has been the introduction of programs that directly benefit residents,” Reiman has stated “through the use of resources already available. Fire safety and prevention should be a consideration in any household, and in these economically trying times, I’m sure our homeowners will benefit greatly from this free public service.”

“You can’t put a price on fire safety,” Krum added. “These are invaluable services and amenities for any resident. We encourage all Carteret homeowners to participate in ‘Operation Fire Safe’ and better protect their families against fire related emergencies.”